Monthly Intent & TBR | January 2023

January 1, 2023December 31, 2022 bookishluna4 Comments

Hello and welcome to my monthly intent post where I share my monthly TBR and other goals I have for the month ahead. I am really excited about a few things this month and am looking forward to. I am planning on trying to address my goals for this year early since my motivation is high currently.

Various skeins of yarn in different bases surrounding an eReader displaying the cover of Ninth House.

Reading Plans

This month I am going to be focusing on two weeks, both are buddy reads. The first is one I am very behind on that I was reading with my friends Reg and Jenna. For the Halloween season we decided to read Sundial by Catriona Ward. I have yet to finish it, they both have…oops! The second book I am planning to read is Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo and I am reading this one with Misty from Misty’s Book Space. I am really excited about reading these.

Crochet & Knitting Plans

This month I would really love to make the By the Fire Socks by Danielle Jorge. They are an ankle sock where the cuff is a few little trees. I have never made ankle socks or socks where the cuff isn’t a standard cuff, so I think it will be a lot of fun to give a go. Other than that I would like to start a Big Cozy Cardi by Andrea Mowry. It is a very oversized comfortable looking sweater, which I think would be perfect to wear around the house during these colder months as well as transition months. I don’t think I will get to finish it, but I know I want to at least start it.

Random Goals

This month I would really love to do two things, I would love to go for a walk in the snow as well as read in front of the fireplace. The first being totally dependent on the weather and is totally out of my control, is more like a dream than a goal. The latter I can certainly do this month without much hassle. I just really want to enjoy the fireplace while it actually makes sense to use it. Once it gets warmer, it is not something I can do without melting.

Tumblr | Twitter | Goodreads

Bullet Journal Jottings, Writing & More

2023 Bujo Setup

December 18, 2022December 14, 2022 bookishlunaLeave a comment

Hello and welcome to a bujo set up post! One thing I really enjoy about the new year is being able to start a new notebook and setting it up for my current needs. I have been using a bujo for many years and I still feel like my set up changes constantly and is in flux, which is great because my planner/noteboook of sorts is changing right along side me. Anyway, here are the 2023 spreads I have added for the new year!

My Notebook

This year I am using a notebook from Olive and Archer, I use the dotted B5 size. This past year I saw they had a sale and ended up picking up this bright orange notebook with an antique camera on it. They seem to still have it in stock and you can find that here if you are interested in taking a closer look at this notebook.

2023 Goals

The first thing I decided to set up are my 2023 goals. I like to break up my goals into categories, I decided I wanted to focus on my reading, life, and maker goals this year. In regards to reading I would like to read 6 non-fiction books and get my owned TBR under 10 books. As for general life I would like to try or do something new and track my spending better. My maker goals are pretty simple as well, Knit 6 pairs of socks and create more from my yarn stash.

Reading Plans

Since my Owned TBR is so small I decided to dedicate a page to listing the books I own and need to read. So, on the left page I just listed the titles. I ended up with 27 books. I ended up with 27 books because I actually went through all of my audio and ebooks. On the other page I ended up doodling a bookshelf filled with books and a little plant. If you want to see my owned tbr book shelf in detail, here is the link to my goodreads shelf Owned TBR.

Knitting Plans

Since one of my goals is to make more from my stash of yarn I decided to assign all of my yarn to a project. I am not saying I can’t change what I end up making with it, but this gives me something to visualize. For these spreads on the left I decided to add a knitting overview page where each month has a square and then I added pictures of some of the projects I wanted to complete that month. I also left some free for some wiggle room too. On the right hand side I decided to add a picture of my make 9 for 2023. These are top 9 projects I really want to complete this year. I did a detailed post about each of these projects, you can find that here: My 2023 Make 9!

Winter Plans

52 Weeks of Socks and Knitting Plans for January and February

Last year I picked up a copy of 52 Weeks of Socks and this year I really want to utilize this book. So, I decided I would pick a number from a jar and knit that pattern. I picked my first number and it was #48, which I am pretty sure is Tributary by Diana Clinch. I added a page in my bujo for this project since it would likey be a year long one knitting various pairs of socks from these pages. I added the heading “Make Some Socks” printed a picture of the cover of the book and doodled so it looked like a polaroid. I then added the number of my first pick from the jar. On the righthand side I made a collage of all the things I would like to make in January and February of this year. These include, The Sophie Shawl, Hazel Neck, Velvet Mirror Cowl, Woodlark Shawl, and the Kuutar Beret.

Knitting Queue

I also added a spread for my knitting queue, since I did all the work tracking all my yarn and connecting it to projects I decided to record what I decided. For each project I added the pattern name, yarn to use, and I made a section for month to record what month I completed the project and a place for a check mark.

Tumblr | Twitter | Goodreads

Monthly Intent

Monthly Intent | September 2022

September 1, 2022August 31, 2022 bookishluna2 Comments

Hello and welcome to my blog! I am just taking a moment to write some goals I have for myself this upcoming month. This month I feel like I am already ready to say goodbye to the heat of summer and embrace the light chill in the air of the start of fall later in the month. I don’t know about you, but I am already noticing the days getting shorter. Anyway, with all that in mind here is my intent for the month of September

Reading Plans

This month I would like to finish my two current reads, Maledictions: A Horror Anthology by Cassandra Khaw and I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. I mentioned yesterday in my Monthly Digest | August 2022 post that I have really been enjoying both of them for different reasons. I am about 30% into both of them so I feel like I will fly through the rest of both of them.

Crochet and Knitting Plans

Collar and start of zigzag section of the colorwork yolk on needles and balls of yarn attached.

This month I have the goal of completing a sweater called Alpenglow I by Andrea Mowry. I have never made a colorwork sweater, but so far I am really enjoying it! It has been engaging so I don’t think I will have a problem finishing it up.

Random Goals

As for my random goal of the month, I really would like organize my space a bit more. I did a lot of unhauling of books, items, etc. because I had to downsize. While I was able to take some things out of my space, I kind of just shoved things where ever they would fit instead of organizing. So it has been a little difficult finding items and my space just doesn’t seem to be working for me. I feel like it is going to take some time, but I really want try to tackle it. or at least most of it, this month.

Tumblr | Twitter | Goodreads

Bullet Journal Jottings, Writing & More

BUJO | August 2022

August 7, 2022July 25, 2022 bookishlunaLeave a comment

Hello and welcome to a little showcase of what I did with my bujo for the month of August. I have been pretty lax with keeping up with this in recent months mainly because I was not carrying it around so much. I was putting everything on my phone and organizing my life digitally, nothing wrong with that, but not my preferred. I like textile feedback and I remember more if I write it down so I really wanted to get back to this. Anyway, here are the spreads I have done for the month of August and one for the Summer season.

Calendar page and dashboard page with name of month and picture of the beach,

I decided to keep it super simple with the dashboard page, I just added the month and year. Then I decided to dress it up a bit by adding a picture of the water hitting a rocky shore and boats in the distance. As for the calendar, I kept it simple I made a rectangle for each day and labeled the days of the week. If you like the picture I used you can find it here.

Picture of BUJO spreads; august notes and jots, my august goals, weekly knitting goals.

For August I decided to add a place to add notes about things I did or need to do. This “August Notes and Jots” page is almost like a brain dump and memory keeper combined. On the other page I placed two things related to goals I have for myself this month. The top section of this page is for general goals I have for the month of August. The bottom half is specifically for keeping up with my current WIPS or future WIPS I plan to start this month. I labeled each of the weeks in August and made a column for each project I plan on working on, but also left two blank incase I change my mind. I am not someone who can work on one project, but I want to make sure that if I have more than one or two on the go, I am actually making progress on them. I do plan on working on my Miss May Shawl, Picnic Basket Socks, and Pressed Flowers Shawl, but we shall see what I am in the mood for.

This last spread is just a printout of an infographic I made on canva of the projects I want to complete this Summer. When I do complete one I add the date it was completed. I have done this for the past three seasons and love it, but I will say if I don’t work on one or finish one it is not a big deal either. It is just a nice visual reminder. I want to work on Miss May Shawl, Pressed Flowers Shawl, Anker’s Summer Shirt (already done), Morning Rituals Sweater and Heel Toe Do Si Do socks.

So, there are the spreads I am using this month to organize myself and keep me focused on my goals. I hope you have a wonderful month ahead of you!

Tumblr | Twitter | Goodreads

Knitting, Crochet, Crafting, Art & More

What’s In My Project Bag, Vacation Edition

July 11, 2022July 4, 2022 bookishlunaLeave a comment

Hello all! I am writing this quick little post to share what I am packing in my project bag while I am off on vacation visiting my family. I don’t plan a doing a ton of things while on vacation other than hanging out so I feel like that will leave a ton of time for me hopefully work on my projects.

Sock Week 2022

It just so happens that Sock Week, hosted by Knitty Natty is taking place while I will be on vacation so of course I am bringing along a sock project. I am using a mini skein set by Zeezee Textiles, the main skein is a gray toned rainbow and the mini is a rusted red color. I can’t wait to use it! I tend to knit my socks at the same time, I’ll knit both cuff before moving onto the next section as an example. Due to this I am taking 2 Chiaogoo 9-inch circulars in the size US2 to work on. I have my start of round parkers and lightbulb safety pins to help keep track of my rows so I don’t need to recount constantly, I just put a clip every 20 or 10 rows depending on the type of sock I am making. O am also bringing a darning needle to weave in my ends and a pair of scissors. Lastly, my project bad is a Summer Sock Camp bag that is by the lovely MntStateStitches. Summer Sock Camp is hosted by
Crazy Sock Lady.

My Larger Project

While I plan on working on a pair of socks, I feel like I am mainy going to be working on those during th traveling parts of this trip. I also want to give my handsw a bit of a break from working with such a small size needle so I am also going to be bringing my Miss May SHAWL MKAL hosted by Helen Stewart. I am only about half way into clue 1 so I am very much behind, but I had a few other projects that took precedence. So I am packing up my yarn.

I am using a skein of Madelinetosh Euro Sock in Urbane Gray and three skeins of Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in one of a kind colors that are a blue with brown speckles, a pink color, and a white with brown/orange speckles. I am knitting these on a 40 inch Knitting needles in the size US 6, specifically Knitter’s Pride Karbonz. This is my first time working this this brand of needles and so far I am amazed at how light they are, but I have not really worked enough to write a review of them. Since I am taking a ton of notions such as scissors and a darning needle with my socks I am not really bringing much else. I may bring some spare yarn to add in a life line here and there though since I think some lace is going to be coming my way.

Tumblr | Twitter | Goodreads

Monthly Intent

Monthly Intent | April 2022

April 1, 2022 bookishluna5 Comments

Hello and welcome to a new month! Last month I decided to take a bit of a break from blogging and take some times to get some other things done, but I am excited to be back and jump right in with a monthly intent post!

Reading Plans

This month I am really going to be mood reading, I want to read Overlord Vol. 3. I am reading the light novels slowly and they are wild and all over the place and I am enjoying them a lot. I also would love to start and finish
Berserk Deluxe Vol. 1 as well. Other than that I really am just embracing my mood reading and picking things up as I feel like it.

Crochet and Knitting Plans

This month I would really love to get two projects off of my needles. The first would be the Saraya Shawl by Saysha Greene I only have one repeat of the cables and the edging to do, so I should be able to knock this out by the middle of the month. I am really loving this project so far and the designer, Saysha, is just amazing! The second project I would love to finish this month would be a short sleeve Ranunculus by Midori Hirose. This is my first sweater so I am doing a lot of new things so I will be thrilled if I finish it by the end of the month.

Outside of those two huge projects, I really want to finish my rainbow socks. I got some beautiful rainbow striped yarn in late February and I have been waiting to finish a pair of socks for a friend before casting these on for myself. I just finished those socks so I really want to get my socks made!

Random Goals

This month I just want to enjoy the beautiful Spring weather that is starting to finally start up! I would love to eat outdoors this month and enjoy some good food with friends or loved ones while we all enjoy the beautiful Spring weather before Summer shows up and melts us all.

Tumblr | Twitter | Goodreads

Knitting, Crochet, Crafting, Art & More · Let's Talk

Winter 2022 Crochet and Knitting Plans

January 13, 2022December 31, 2021 bookishlunaLeave a comment

Hello and welcome to a bit of a planning post where I am going to share the crochet and knitting projects I would love to finish this winter. I am on really good footing to start any project I want right now due to the fact I have no WIPs going into 2022, which has not happened in years. So, I feel like a kid in a candy shop and spoiled for choice. Thankfully, I was able to narrow it down to 5 projects I really would love to start working on and hopefully finish before Winter is through.

Day Date Cardigan by Jess Coppom

This first pattern I actually bought yarn for back in the Summer of 2021 when I was visiting family in Maine. I really want to finish this ASAP and hopefully I can wear it the next time I see those family members. The yarn that I picked up for this project is Berroco Providence in the color Rosecliff – 1115.

Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes

This pair of socks is actually for my significant other. I had him pick a yarn for me to use and it finally arrived! I am so excited to get to make these for him, I just need to figure out the stitches needed and I am going to have to keep bugging him to try them on as I go to ensure I am making them to properly fit. This will be the first socks I am making for someone else. The yarn that he picked for this pair of socks is Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in the color Ultramarine Violet, which is a really vibrant purple that I swear is going to glow in the dark.

Tube Socks by Mary Anne

This pair of socks is going to be for me. I have never worn tube socks or made them so I wanted to experiment a bit. I used this “pattern” to come up with my own formula of sorts for the ones I am going to be making. This pattern, which is actually a blog post was really helpful in doing that going through different options etc. The yarn I am using for this pattern is Spun Right Round Classic Sock in the color Sly Fox, which is almost like a burn orange.

Apiarist Cowl by Claire Borchardt

This is another selfish creation, I was lucky enough to be gifted a new jacket so I need to make a new cowl to go with it. I saw this pattern first mentioned by Knitty Natty and her looked beautiful and she said it was pretty simple to make. It is the first time I will be knitting something with a pattern of sorts so it will be an experiment as well! I am using yarn died by the etsy shop LanternLightYarn in the color Kraken, which is a red color with variations and Drops Kid-Silk in the color 14, which is red as well, held together to create this winter accessory.

Easy Eyelet Yoke Sweater by Knitatude / Chantal Miyagishima

This last one is really a project I know is going to take me a lot of time and challenge me a lot. I am putting it at the bottom of this list because I really want to work on the other projects and continue to work on the basics before jumping into making a sweater. That being said, the stiches that are used in this I have already used a bunch, but making a sweater I feel like is a huge step. I am using the recommended yarn, Lion Brand Chainette, in the color mustard, which seems to now be discontinued even though I only bought it a month or so ago. I hope I bought enough to finish it!

Tumblr | Twitter | Goodreads

Monthly Intent

Monthly Intent | December 2021

December 2, 2021 bookishluna4 Comments

Hello and welcome to my little planning post for the Month of December. It is hard to believe that 2021 is in its final month and 2022 is right around the corner. I feel like I am already cooking up ideas for 2022, but I want to accomplish a bunch of things this month as well. I will say, I am going to try and be a bit better about posting, life has just been a bit hectic and it was not much of a priority. I have some ideas planned though for this month and I can’t wait to share them with you, also I will still be posting a wrap up of sorts for November, it will just be a bit late. Oops!

Reading Plans

This month I really want to finish reading the last two books in the Lord of the Ring Trilogy, The Two Towers and The Return of the King by JRR Tolkien. Apart from that, I want to read the second book in the Dune Series by Frank Herbert called Dune Messiah. If I read any more than that I will be thrilled, but those are the books I really want to get through before the year is over.

Crochet and Knitting Plans

This month I am taking part in Knitty Natty’s Sockmas challenge of sorts. You can find all the information on her website linked here. As I write this, it has already started since it started the day after Thanksgiving here in the US. The main purpose of this is to complete a pair of socks in the allotted time, about three weeks. As of right now I am about halfway through both of my socks so I am well on my way to achieve this. I decided to knit using the pattern Cafe Mocha by Twin Stitches Designs. I am using blue though instead of brown/tan yarn so it will look more wintery. Other than that, I really want to get my WIPs down and I don’t plan on casting anything new on as of right now, but we shall see. I feel like I always want to start a new project before I finish another one.

Random Goals

I honestly don’t have many goals for myself this month. I am really focusing on finishing up some of those pesky goals I had for myself this year overall, a lot of them you can see in my post Reading Challenge | 2021 Reading Goals. I also want to focus on getting organized and get better at making more manageable goals and expectations on myself. Lately, I have really been making outlandish goals for myself that are just not doable in the time I give myself and I need to just get better at being realistic while challenging myself.

Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful month and aren’t too cold as the fall weather starts to slowly shift into something that feels a lot like winter.

Tumblr | Twitter | Goodreads